As we approach International Women’s Day, ILO News talks to Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, a young Ethiopian entrepreneur who created one of the world’s fastest growing footwear brands by betting on Decent Work

Poverty pushes a high number of children in Kosovo* to drop out of school and enter child labour as early as 10 years old. The ILO supports efforts of Kosovo’s public institutions and social partners to eliminate child labour, with an emphasis on its worst forms.

2014

Although there are more than 52 million domestic workers world-wide, including more than 21 million in Asia Pacific, only a small minority are covered by general labour laws. This lack of protection leaves them vulnerable to – sometimes terrible – abuse and exploitation. Journalist Karen Emmons has been working with the photographer Steve McCurry on a documentary project, “No one should work this way,” to record and expose some of the abuses faced by Asian migrant domestic workers.

Migrants’ remittances are expected to reach US$ 436 billion in 2014 and US$ 540 billion by 2016. Financial education can not only provide useful support to migrants’ families back home but also help migrants in destination countries manage their own budgets.

Many young Albanian workers are returning home after losing their jobs abroad due to the economic crisis. For many of them, re-entering the local labour market is a daunting task. An ILO-UNDP project helped them address that challenge.

As part of the ILO’s efforts to support communities in Jordan most affected by the Syrian refugee crisis, the 2014 Irbid Olive and Rural Produce Festival brought together local farmers and businesses to showcase products and explore avenues to develop the olive industry.